MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- The combination of backup quarterback Jayvius Langford to receiver William Ford was good for three touchdowns as Park Crossing goes on a defeat #9 Dothan 42-27 in a key Class 6A, Region 2 contest at the Cramton Bowl on Thursday night. With the win, the Thunderbirds get their first win of the season along being a region win and that is something they wanted to accomplish in this game with Dothan.

With the win, Park Crossing improves to 1-3 on the season and 1-0 in region play. "We wanted to come out playing hard, playing fast and playing together," said Thunderbirds head coach Clayton Harris. "We wanted to go 1-0 in region play and we accomplished that goal. We have played one of the hardest schedules in the whole state of Alabama. We still have Central-Phenix City and Auburn 7A teams left on our schedule. We have been in every game so far this season so it was nice to get that win. We have played a playoff schedule."

Park Crossing scored the first 30 points of the game and really put to much pressure on the Dothan offense to recover. The Thunderbirds scored first on a Adaryll Lewis 33-yard touchdown run for the score. Khurtiss Perry scored on the 2-point conversion and the Thunderbirds led 8-0 with 10:20 left in the first quarter. With 7:26 left in the first quarter, Langford found Ford on a 15-yard touchdown pass for a Thunderbirds score. The 2-point conversion failed and Park Crossing led 14-0.

After Park Crossing kicked off to Dothan and on the Wolves first play, Thunderbirds safety Jaden Taylor picks off a Wolves pass and raced 25-yards for the touchdown for a Thunderbirds pick six. Jeremiah Walker scores on the 2-point conversion and Park Crossing leads 22-0. With 11:16 left in the half, Langford hit Ford on a 5-yard touchdown pass in the corner of the end zone for a score. Antonio Sanderson scored on the 2-point conversion and Park Crossing led 30-0 and put the Wolves in a deep hole that they couldn't get out of. "We have to learn to play in the beginning in these big games like this," said Wolves head coach Smitty Grider. "We shoot ourselves in the foot, make big mistakes on both sides off the ball like we are not ready for a big game on the road. Played a great second half and proud of our kids."

With 3:35 left in the half, Dothan scored on a Jamal Lane to Jabre Barber 50-yard touchdown pass play for the Wolves. With the extra point by Brody Barnett, the Park Crossing lead was 30-7 last in the second half, but the Thurderbirds were not done scoring in the first half. With 3:17 left in the half, Park Crossing scored on their first play from scrimmage after the Dothan touchdown on a Langford to Ford and a 61-yard touchdown pass play for Park Crossing. The two-point conversion failed and the Thunderbirds led 36-7 halftime lead. "Coach told us in the locker room before the game that we have to come out and play hard," said the Thunderbirds WR Ford. "We just wanted to execute our game plan and I think we did that. We need to keep working hard in practice, but this was a good region win for us tonight."

In the second half, Dothan came out of the locker room and scored first. A Lane to C.J. Shackleford 8-yard touchdown pass in the corner of the end zone cut the Park Crossing lead to 36-13 with 10:05 left in the third quarter. With 5:27 left in the third quarter, Park Crossing drove the field and scored on a Bradley May 5-yard touchdown run off left tackle. The 2-point conversion failed but the Thunderbirds led big 42-13. But on the kickoff Barber raced 97-yards after receiving the kick and Dothan struck back very quickly. With the Dothan score, Park Crossing led 42-19. With :34 seconds left in the game, backup quarterback Will Sharp scored on a 16-yard touchdown run around the left end and that made our final score of 42-27. 

Park Crossing starting quarterback had a concussion last game against Clay-Chalkville but backup QB Langford played a great game for the Thunderbirds. The junior QB completed 9-of-17 passing for 173 yards and three touchdowns with 71 yards on 6 carries on the night. "Coach wanted us to keep our head in the game and be prepared," said Thunderbirds QB Langford. "Our main job was just to stay focused for the whole game and keep our composure."

Lewis rushed for 57 yards on 13 carries and had a pass reception for 29-yards. Ford had six receptions for 119 yards and three touchdowns. Walker had 3 receptions for 25 yards. The defense played well for most of the night. Defensive lineman Khurtiss Perry had 8 and half tackles. Bernard Goodwen had 7.5 tackles and 3.5 TFL. 

Up next for both teams, Park Crossing will play Sidney Lanier in the Cramton Bowl next week and Dothan will travel to Russell County.